Tranmere V Port Vale at Prenton Park - Match Preview

Last updated : 27 September 2013

Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore is facing a potential left-back crisis for the clash with Port Vale.

Evan Horwood started the 2-0 defeat to Stoke on Wednesday but came off due to a groin strain and his replacement, Danny Holmes, missed training on Thursday due to illness.

Moore is desperate to try and get cover in should Holmes miss out and he is also keen to extend centre-back Adam Dugdale's deal from Crewe as it is due to expire after the Vale game.

Ian Goodison should return after being rested in midweek but midfielder Jason Koumas (groin) is still two weeks away, Andy Robinson (groin) could miss the next month, captain James Wallace (knee) has had a setback and Jake Kirby (ankle) looks set to miss out once more.

Lee Hughes and Gavin Tomlin come back into the reckoning for Port Vale.

Veteran striker Hughes had a virus last weekend while fellow forward Tomlin also missed the home win over Coventry with a groin problem. However, both players have resumed training to compete with Ben Williamson and Louis Dodds for a starting place alongside Tom Pope.

Daniel Jones is also back in training after missing the last four matches with a groin strain but Saturday looks like coming too soon for the left-back. Rob Taylor has a calf strain and will probably not be involved.

First-team coach Rob Page will be in charge at Prenton Park with manager Micky Adams recovering from the hip operation he underwent on Monday.